Fishing-reel.



R. B. BENIAMIN.

FISHING REEL. APPLICATION iILED JAN. 2. 19M.

Patented July 4, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I- R. B. BENIAMIN.

FISHING REEL. APPLIdATIONJILED JAN. 2, 1914.

Patented July 4, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- I V I.

ililr R. B. BENJAMIN.

FISHING REEL. APPLICATION FILED JAN.2, 1914.

1 ,1 89,232. Patented July 4, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 BENJAMIN-SELLARMAN- UFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OFILLINOIS.

FISHING-REEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 4, 1916.

Application filed January 2, 1914. Serial No. 809,995.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, REUBEN B. BENJA- MIN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fishing-Reels, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description,reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to fishing reels, and especially pertains tocasting reels, 2'. e. reels which are intended for use in the branch offishing known as bait casting. The reel ordinarily used in bait castingtoday includes a frame having a spool mounted to rotate very freelytherein, such spool being driven, through a multiplying gear, by a crankhandle. Sometimes a clutch is provided between the crank handle and thespool, to permit of the spool rotating independently of the crank handleduring the casting of a bait. In the use of a reel of the type mentionedabove, the line is wound up until the bait is within a few inches of thetop of the rod. The spool is then held, by pressure of ,the ball of thethumb upon the line on the spool, the rod being swung back preparatoryto casting out the bait. The bait is then thrown out, the thumb beingremoved from the spool to permit the bait to take line from the reel.While the bait is in the air, the rotation of the spool is controlled bya light pressure of the thumb thereon, this being known as the thumbingoperation. When the bait has reached the desired point, the rotation of.

the spool isstopped by a firm pressure of the thumb. The line is thenwound in ready for another cast.

The art of thumbing a reel properly can only be attained after longpractice. This is largely due to the fact that the surface of the lineon the spool is rough, and varies during the casting operation, makingthe greatest delicacy of manipulation by the thumb a necessity.Moreover, with a reel of the ordinary type, it is exceedingly difficultto make a far east with a light bait, this being principally for thereason that it is difficult to givethe light bait sufficient momentum tostart the spool rotating properly without, at the same time, rendering aquick checking of the spool necessary, to prevent overrunning. Variousmechanisms have from time to time been devised with a view to remedyingthese and other defects of the ordinary type of reel referred to above;but none of such mechanisms have, to my knowledge, been successful, orhave attained any standing in the trade.

It is one of the principal objects of my invention to provide a fishingreel having a thumboperated mechanical brake which will be animprovement on anything of the kind heretofore devised, and which willobviate many of the difficulties which have hitherto attended thecasting operation.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a thumbing mechanismwhich, when released, will impart a slight preliminary rotating movementor tendency to the spool, thus lessening the amount of work which has tobe done by the bait, in its initial mover ment, in starting the rotationof the spool.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a reel having a spoolof minimum weight and constructed so that its inertia is as low aspossible.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved clutchbetween the crank of the reel and the spool, which will permit of thecrank being put into and out of operative relation with the spool withthe greatest ease possible.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a reel having anautomatic thumbing mechanism of such a nature as to place the reel incondition for casting before each cast, regardless of the condition ofthe several mechanisms of the reel prior to the cast. And it is afurther object of my invention to provide a reel which will be of asimple and strong construction which can be taken apart readily forcleaning and oiling purposes, which will be eflicient in use, and whichmay be placed on the market at a reasonable price.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the followingspecification.

One embodiment of'my invention is described, by way of example, in thefollowing specification; and is shown in the accompanying drawings. Itis to be understood, however, that the form of reel described and shownis only one among those in which my invention may be embodied, and thatchanges may be made in the reel which is described and shown, withoutexceeding the scope of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a reel constructed inaccordance with my invention, showing the manner of using the same; Fig.2 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, showing the reel with theprincipal members thereof taken apart; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectiontaken through the reel with the parts in the positions which they assumewith the brake off and the clutch connection between the spool and thecrank disconnected; Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the brokenline 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing theposition of the parts when the brake is partly on and when the clickdevice is in operative position. The dotted lines in this figureindicate the position of the brake lever when the brake is in its fullon position; Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showingthe brake disk and the parts of the spool hub associated therewith; Fig.7 is a detail view of the hollow bearing which carries the brake sleeve,the same being shown as it appears before it is secured to the reelhead; Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the slotted leaf spring whichmaintains the click plate in one or the other of its positions; Fig. 9is a section on the line 99 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of thearrows, the brake lever being shown, however, as being depressed topermit the clutch to be moved by its spring into the out position; andFig. 10 is a horizontal section taken through the reel, the sectionbeing taken as on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the followingspecification and the several figures of the accompanying drawings.

The reel shown in the drawings comprises a frame having a fixed headplate and a removable head plate, in which head plates is mounted afixed shaft. Upon this shaft is mounted, so as to be capable of freerotation, the spool of the reel, a clutch being provided between thespool and a cran handle with associated multiplying gears, carried bythe removable head plate. This clutch is adapted to be thrown in by anend wise movement of the crank toward the reel frame, and to be thrownout by a spring device which is released, at the proper time, by a brakelever. At the opposite end of the reel, 11. e. adjacent the fixed head(plate, a movable brake member is provide This member moveslongitudinally toward the spool, and during such movement, exercises agradually increasing, braking efi'ect on the spool. This braking effectis suffic ent to hold the spool definitely against movement when thebrake member has reached the end of its movement. The longitudinalmovement of the braking member is eflt'ected by means of a brake leverwhich projects forwardl and upwardly from a bridgeplate WhlCll ispivoted to the two heads of the reel, the bridge-plate extending acrossthe reel at a point somewhere above the rear side thereof. When thebrake lever is pressed down, it effects, through the intermediary of atoothed segment, the longitudinal movement of the brake member abovereferred to. A return spring, with which the bridge-plate is provided,effects the return of the lever, and of the brake member, to itsoriginal position, when the brake lever is relieved from pressure. Aclick device is provided, which can be placed in or out of' position bymeans of a movable knob extending through the reel head. This clickdevice is constructed so as to be capable of holding the brake memberimpositively in a plurality of positions, so that any required brakingretardation may be added to the retardation of the click device, asdesired. The braking mechanism is so constructed that, when it is at thelimit of its movement to put on the brake, it will automatically releasethe click device and effect the throwing out of the crank-clutch, sothat, when the spool is being held stationary, by means of the brake,preparatory to making a cast, the click, if previously in its onposition, will be thrown off, and the clutch will be thrown out, wherebythe reel is put in the proper condition for casting.

Referring now to the drawings, the reel frame includes a rear head 10 ofcup shape, which is connected, by means of an upper crossbar 11 and alower crossbar 1'2 with the front head. The front head comprises a ring13 and a disk shaped plate 14, which is removably connected to the ring13. These parts are formed from suitably shaped sheet metal blanks bystamping? and are formed with ribs, such as 15 ing extra strength whererequired. The lower crossbar 12 is provided with a transversely curvedrod plate 16 for attachment to the reel seat of the rod in the ordinarymanner.

Riveted to the inner side of the front plate 14 is a guide plate 17(Fig. 2) portions 18 of which are adapted to engage within the peripheryof the ring 13, so as to prevent lateral sliding of the front plate 14with respect to the ring 13. The guide plate 17 is formed with two lugsor projections 19 disposed substantially diametrically opposite eachother. These projections engage in corresponding recesses 20 formed inthe edge of the ring 13, and serve to prevent rotary movement of thefront plate 14 with respect to the ring.

The front plate 14 is removably secured to the frame by means of a fixedshaft 21 (Fig. 3), which passes through the reel from one ig. 1) forgivend thereof to the other. This shaft is provided with a reduced andscrew-threaded end 22, which passes through the center of the frontplate 14 and receives a thumb nut 23. The thumb nut 23, being securedupon the threaded end 22, serves to secure the shaft 21 to the frontplate, with the shoulder thereof, formed by reducing the end 22, inengagement with the inner side of the front plate. The rear wall 24 ofthe rear head 10 is formed with a large circular aperture at the centerthereof, which aperture receives the flanged end 25 of a sleeve 26(Figs. 3 and 7). The sleeve 26 is secured to the rear wall 24 byriveting out the flange 25 beyond the latter. The shaft 21 passesthrough the sleeve 26 and is threaded at its end to receive a thumb nut27 similar to the thumb nut 23. Vvhen the thumb nut 27 is tightened itdraws a shoulder on the shaft 21 against the inner end of the sleeve 26,thereby securing the shaft 21 to the rear head.

It will be seen that the frame of the reel can be taken apart in twoways. If the thumb nut 27 is removed, the head plate may be pulled awayfrom the remainder of the frame, carrying with it the shaft 21, whichlatter will remain fixed to the head plate. If the thumb nut 23 isremoved, the head plate may be taken off, leaving the shaft 21 connectedto the rear head of the reel.

The shaft 21 is formed with two bearing collars 28 on which is rotatablymounted a spool-supporting sleeve 29. This sleeve is formed at one endwith a fixed head 30, and at the other end is reduced and screwthreadedto receive a detachable head 31. The opposed sides of the heads 30 and31 are made conical, so as to form, with the intermediate portion of thesleeve 29, a seat for the spool sections 32. These spool sections areduplicates of each other; and each con sists of a conical side portionhaving a tubular center portion 33 springing therefrom. The spoolportions are formed of thin aluminum, to give lightness to the spool,and the side portions are made to extend from the center portions at anangle of substantially 60 degrees, to facilitate proper spooliIig of theline. The outer edges of the side portion are'fianged over at 32*, so asto provide-additional strength. The spool portions are mounted on thesleeve 29 with the ends of their center portions butting against eachother. They are preferably cemented in place to prevent relativerotation between the spool and the sleeve 29. With the constructionabove described, it will be seen that the spool is capable of rotatingfreely upon the'bearing collars 28 of the fixed shaft 21. The spool thusconstructed is very light and strong and has low inertia.

The rear end of the spool sleeve 29 is situated in close proximity tothe front end of the fixed sleeve 26, whereby free rotation of the spoolis permitted, while substantial endwise movement of the spool isprevented. The head 31 of the spool sleeve is hollowed out, at 34, toreceive the end of the fixed sleeve 26. The head 31 is enlarged at itsend to form a toothed wheel 35 (Fig. 6), the rear face of which isadapted to be engaged by a brake disk 36, which disk is slidably but notrotatably mounted upon the tubular extension 38 of a collar 38, carriedby the sleeve 26. The washers, 37 and 37, are disposed between the brakedisk 36 and the collar 38, one of which, the washer 37, is a springwasher, whereby the brake disk 36 is normally pressed outward against aretaining ring 38 carried by the front end of the collar-extension 38".The collar 38 is formed with an interior double thread which cotiperateswith a corresponding thread 39 formed on the fixed sleeve 26, at therear end thereof.

It will be seen, therefore, that rotation of the collar 38 in onedirection or the other will have the effect of moving the collar, andconsequently the disk 36, toward or away from the spool. When the collar38 is rotated so as to move toward the spool, it will first move thedisk 36 into engagement with the face of the toothed wheel 35, andafterward will compress the spring washer 37 to a greater and greaterextent, thereby causing the disk 36 to exert a gradually increasingbraking pressure upon the spool.

The rotating movement of the collar 38 is effected by means of a toothedsegment 43, the teeth of which mesh with corres onding teeth 44, whichare formed upon t e collar 38. The toothed segment 43 is secured to anarm 41 (Fig. 4) which projects forwardly from a bridge plate 45, whichextends across the reel and is pivoted to the heads thereof. When thisbridge plate is rocked about its pivots, it causes the segment 43 toswing downward, and thereby effect a rotating movement of the collar 38.The bridge plate is pivoted to the heads of the reel by means of screws46, one of which passes through the arm 41 at one end of the bridgeplate, and the other of which passes through a lug 47 at the other endof the bridge plate, the screws entering internally threaded rivetswhich are-mounted in cars 48 formed upon the front and rear heads of thereel. A coil spring 49 is disposed on the screw 46, between the arm 41and the adjacent ear 48, one end. of the spring engaging the bridgeplate, and the other end engaging a flange 50 which extends forward fromthe wall 24 of the rear head. The tendency of this spring is to hold thebridge plate in the position in which th top part of the segment 43engages the inner side of the flange 50, i. e. the position in which thebrake is off (Figs. 3 and 4). A slot 51 is formed in the flange 50 ofthe rear head to permit the passage of the arm 41 therethrough.Projecting upwardly and forwardly from the bridge plate 45, is the brakelever, taking the form of a conveniently shaped thumb piece 52 formedintegrally with the bridge plate 45. It will be seen that when pressureis exerted upon the thumb piece 52, the bridge plate 45 will be rockedabout its pivots, the segment 43 descending to an extent depending onthe distance through which the bridge plate has been rocked, andapplying the brake to a corresponding extent. When the thumb piece 52 ispressed down to the utmost limit, the brake disk 36 will be pressedagainst the spool to such an extent as to hold the latter definitelyagainst movement. When pressure is removed from the thumb piece 52, thebridge plate returns to the position shown in Fig. 4, under the actionof the spring 49, the brake being thereby entirely removed.

The driving mechanism and clutch are constructed as follows: The frontplate 14 is provided, at one side of the center thereof, with a hollowbushing passes the crank spindle 54, carrying, at its inner end, thedriving gear 55, and, at its outer end, the crank 56. The outer end ofthe spindle 54 is reduced and screw threaded, the crank being screwedthereon so as to abut against the shoulder formed by the reducing of theend of the spindle. A lock nut 57 is provided for securing the crank 56in. position. The spindle 54 is made longer than the hollow bushing 53,so as to be capable of endwise movement therein; and a coil spring 58 islaced between the crank and a shoulder ormed on the bushing 53, thisspring tending to hold the spindle in the'position in which the gear isclose against the inner side of the front plate 14. A sliding cap 59 isprovided for hiding and protecting the spring58.

A pinion 60, meshing with the gear 55, is mounted slidably and rotatablyon the fixed shaft 21. The pinion 60 is provided, at its rear side, withan annular clutch member 61 of greater diameter than the pinion. On thismember 61 are arranged a pair of diametrically disposed pins 62 adaptedto enter any corresponding air of a, plurality of equally spaced ho es63 formed in the front side of the head 30 of the spool sleeve 29. Thefront side of the clutch member 61 is engaged by the rear face of thedriving gear 55, so that when the driving gear is moved inward, the

clutch member is moved, against the action 64, toward the head 30, toperof a sprin 62 to engage in the holes 63.

mit the was 53, through which The spring 64 engages, at one end, againsta collar 65 formed on the shaft '21, and, at the other end against theclutch member 61.

A latch supporting frame 66 (Figs. 2 and 9) is secured to the guideplate 17 and consists of an inner plate 67 and an outer plate 68 securedtogether in spaced relation with each other. The outer plate 68 isprovided with an extension at its rear end, which extension hasprojecting therefrom a pin 69. Upon this pin is pivoted a latch 7 Owhich is adapted to be pressed toward the clutch member 61 by means of aspring 71 with which it is provided. hen the clutch is in its offposition, the latch bears upon the outer surface of the clutch member61. When, however, the clutch member is moved toward the head 30, tothrow in the clutch, the latch snaps down behind the end of the clutchmember 61, and thereby prevents the clutch member from returning underthe action of the spring 64. The latch 70 lies between the front ends ofthe inner frame plate 67 and the outer frame plate 68, whereby lateralplay of the latch is prevented. When it is desired to throw in theclutch, the crank 56 is pushed toward the frame of the reel, the resultbeing that the gear wheel 55 pushes the clutch member 61 into operativerelation with the head 30. \Vhen this is done, the latch 70, which waspreviously resting on the outer periphery of the clutch member 61, asshown in Fig. 3, will be forced, by the spring 71, down into a positionbehind the end of the clutch member 61. In this position, the latch willprevent the clutch member 61 from moving back, until the latch isreleased in the manner to be described below. The crank handle can,however, return to its original position, leaving the clutch member inits connected position.

The latch 70 is provided with a heel 72; and the location of the partsis such that this heel is disposed adjacent the inner end of the lug 47at the front end of the bridge plate 45 (Fig. 9). The lower edge of thelug 47 forms a cam which engages the heel 72, and is extended so as tocreate a cam projection 73 at the part thereof which will engage theheel 72 when the thumb piece is depressed to the utmost limit. When thecam pro'ection comes into engagement with the heel 2 of the latch, itdepresses the same, and consequently lifts the front end of the latchout of engagement with the end surface of the clutch member 61, thusenabling the member 61 to move back, under the action of the spring 64,into the position in which the clutch is out. The depressing of thethumb piece 52, therefore, to the full extent has the effect of throwingout the clutch.

The reel is provided with a click device, which is constructed asfollows: A click plate 74 is pivotally mounted on a rivet secured to theend wall 24 of the rear head (Figs. 4 and 5), and carries a springpressed dog 75 mounted so as to be capable of movement in eitherdirection about its pivot, being subsequently returned to its normalposition by the spring. \Vhen the click is on, this dog cooperates withthe teeth of the toothed wheel 35, which latter is carried by the spool,as described above, thereby giving the ordinary clicking drag effect.The click plate is provided with a stud which projects rearwardlythrough a slot in the rear wall 24 and terminates in a knob 77 by meansof which the click plate 74 can be moved about its pivot into and out ofoperative relation with the toothed wheel 35. Located between the clickplate 74 and the end wall 24 is a leaf spring 78 having a slottherethrough to permit the required movement of the click-operatingstud. The leaf spring 78 presses firmly against the rear side of theclick plate 74, and is formed with a hump or projection 79, which isadapted to enter one or the other of two holes 80 formed in the clickplate 74, according to the position of the click plate. The leaf spring78 thus impositively holds the click plate in each of its two positions.The click plate 74 is formed with a heel 81 situated in the path of thebrake operating segment 43, so as to be engaged by the latter when thethumb piece 52 is pressed downward to the utmost extent. When the thumbpiece, carrying with it the segment 43, approaches the limit of itsdownward movement, the segment 43 strikes the heel 81 and forces theclick plate into the position in which the dog 75 is out of operativerelation with the toothed wheel 35. It will be seen, therefore, that theeffect of pressing the thumb piece downward to the end of its movementis to release the click.

The click plate 74 is formed with an inwardly extending spur 82 which isadapted, when the click plate is in its operative position, to engagethe teeth 44 of the brakecollar 38 (Fig. 5). The purpose of this spur isto hold the brake segment 43 in any position to which it may be moved bymeans of the thumb piece 52, instead of permitting the segment to returnto its original position, under the action of the spring 49, as it woulddo ordinarily. When the click plate is in its operative position (Fig.5), the segment 43 may be depressed to any desired extent, the clickplate springing aside somewhat as each of the teeth 44 moves past thespur 82. The brake may thus be set to any desired braking pressure, andwill be held in that position by the spur 82. It is thus possible toaugment the dragging effect of the click device with any desired brakingpressure.

In the use of my reel, the bait is first wound up to within a few inchesof the top of the rod. The rod is then grasped firmly with the thumbpressed forcibly on the thumb-piece 52, such pressure having the effectof moving the brake member 38 into the position in which the brake disk36 holds the spool against movement, and the further effect of throwingout the clutch and throwing ofl the click device, if the latter had beenpreviously in use. The cast is now made; and, as the bait is thrown out,the thumb is lifted from the thumb piece 52, the position of the thumbpiece permitting this to be done Without loosening of the grasp upon thehandle of the rod and thus rendering the wielding of the rod inaccurate.As the bait takes line from the reel, the thumb presses upon thethumbpiece 52 and exercises a delicate braking pressure on the spool toprevent overrunning of the spool. By the proper manipulation of thethumb piece 52, a more delicate thumbing of the spool can be eifectedthan would be possible by the use of the thumb itself directly upon theline on the spool; and proficiency in manipulating the thumb piece isnot diflicult to attain. When the bait has reached the desired point,the thumb piece is pressed forcibly, which causes the spool to bestopped, thus, of course, causing the bait to drop into the water. Thethumb is then released from the thumb piece 52, and the handle of thereel crank 66 seized. As the handle of the reel crank is seized, it isgiven a slight push toward the frame, the effect of which is that theclutch is thrown in and the spool, which was previously free from thecrank, made to turn therewith. If during the recovery of the bait by theturn ing of the crank, it may be played to a certain extent by themanipulation of the thumb piece to give the desired resistance to thetaking of line by the fish. If the fish is powerful, or if otherwisedesired, the click device may be put into operation by manipulating theknob 77. WVhen the bait has been recovered, or the fish landed, theclick device and the clutch are automatically thrown out of action b thepressure of the thumb on the thumb piece preparatory to making a newcast.

It will be noted, that as the segment 43 springs upward, under theaction of the spring 49, when the thumb is lifted from the thumb piece52, during the making of a cast, the brake-collar 38 rotates in the samedirection as the spool will rotate when the cast is made. As thebrake-disk 36 was in firm engagement with the spool before the thumbpiece was released, it will be seen that the disk will impart a slightrotating movement or tendency to the spool just at the moment when thedisk leaves the head 31. This renders more easy the making of a far eastwith a light bait, since it obviates the necessity of the bait doing theentire a fish is hooked gradually work of starting the rotation of thespool; and this is especially so owing to the lightness and low inertiaof the spool.

The reel described above is very eificient and convenient in use; and itconsiderably lessens the difiiculty of acquiring proficiency in the artof casting bait. The parts employed are relatively few and are of strongconstruction, '-so that the reel is not liable to get out of order,under conditions of hard use. The reel can be taken apart for cleaningor oiling with the greatest ease; and the light and freely rotatingspool makes it possible to effect long casts, and to place the baitaccurately. The construction is such that the greater number of partsmay be made from stamped metal, whereby the cost of production of thereel is lessened and the placing of it on the market, at a reasonablecost, is rendered possible. It will be observed also, that the spool isnever absolutely locked to the shaft; so that it would rotate upon theshaft in case of the occurrence of a strain too heavy for the safety ofthe rod or line.

While I have described and shown one construction of reel in which myinvention is embodied, it is to be understood that the invention maytake other forms, and that some of the mechanisms described may beemployed in connection with other reels than those intended for use inbait casting, and further that changes may be made in the mechanismswhich I have described and shown without exceeding the scope of myinvention, what I claim being:

1. In a fishing reel the combination with a line spool, of a variablebrake adapted to retain said spool against movement when fully applied,said brake being disposed and arranged so as to impart a rotatingmovement to said spool when released.

2. In a fishing reel the combination with a line spool, of a springreturned spool retaining member, and means for simultaneously movingsaid member in the direction of its axis toward said spool and rotatingsaid member, whereby said member when released imparts a rotatingmovement to said spool when released.

3. In a. fishing reel the combination with a line spool, of a springreturned brake member, and means for movin said brake member graduallytoward sai spool to exert a increasing braking pressure thereon, and forsimultaneously rotating said brake member, whereby said brake memberwhen released imparts a rotating movement to said spool when released.

4. In a fishing reel the combination with a line spool, of a releasablemember for retaining said spool against movement, said member beingdisposed and arranged so as to impart a rotating movement to said spoolwhen released, and a thumb operated member for releasing said firstnamed member.

5. In a fishing reel the combination with a line spool, of a brakingmember for said spool, and a thumb operated device for moving saidbraking member toward said spool, thereby to cause a graduallyincreasing braking effect upon said spool, said braking member beingdisposed and arranged so as to cause a rotating movement to said spoolwhen released.

6. In a fishing reel the line spool, of a braking member for said spool,and a thumb operated device for gradually moving said braking membertoward said spool and simultaneously rotating said member, whereby agradually increasing braking effect upon said spool is produced, andsaid braking member is caused to impart a rotating movement to saidspool when relesaed.

7. In a fishing reel the combination With a manually operable variablebrake, of a click mechanism, and means for placing said click mechanismin inoperative position when said brake reaches the limit of its brakingmovement.

8. In a fishing reel the combination with a variable brake, and a thumblever for actuating said brake, of a click mechanism, and means forplacing said click mechanism in inoperative position when said brake hasreached the limit of its brakin movement.

ilfIn a fishing reel the comblnation with combination with a a manuallyoperable variable braking device having an abutment, of a click membermovable into and out of operative position, said member having a portionadapted for engagement by said abutment when said braking device reachesthe limit of its braking movement, whereby said click member is thenmoved out of operative position.

10. In a fishing reel the combination with a variable brake, and amanually operable member for actuating said brake, of a click membermovable into and out of operative position, said click member having aportion adapted for engagement by said brakeaotuating member when saidbrake reaches the limit of its braking movement, whereby said clickmember is 'then moved out of operative position.

11. In a fishingereel the combination with a rotatable mem r adapted,when rotated, to exercise a gradually increasing braking effect, and amanually operable segment for rotating said member, of a click membermovable into and out of operative position, said click member having aportion adapted for engagement by said segment when said rotatablemember reaches the limit of its braking movement, whereby said clickmember is then moved out of operative position.

12. In a fishing reel the combination with a manually operable variablebraking device having an abutment, of a pivoted click plate adapted tobe rocked into and out of operative position, said click plate having aportion adapted for engagement by said abutment when said braking devicereaches the limit of its braking movement, whereby said click plate isthen moved out of operative position.

13. In a fishing reel including a reel head, the combination with amanually operable variable braking device having an abutment of a clickmember movable into and out of operative position and having a knobextending through said reel head for permitting manual operation of saidmember, said click member having a portion adapted for engagement bysaid abutment when said braking device reaches the limit of its brakingmovement, whereby said click member is then moved out of operativeposition.

14. In a fishing reel including a reel head, the combination with arotatable member adapted when rotated to exercise a gradually increasingbraking effect, and a manually operable segment for actuating saidrotatable member, of a pivoted click plate movable into and out ofoperative position, said click plate having a knob extending throughsaid reel head for permitting manual operation of said plate, and saidclick plate having a portion adapted for engagement by said segment whensaid rotatable member reaches the limit of its braking movement, wherebysaid click plate is then moved out of operative position.

15. In a fishing reel including a spool, the combination with a manuallyoperable variable braking device, of a crank for actuating said spool, aclutch between said crank and said spool, and means, actuated by saiddevice when the latter reaches the limit of its braking movement, forreleasing said clutch.

16. In a fishing reel including a spool, the combination with a variablebrake, and a thumb operated device for actuating said brake, of a crankfor actuating said spool, a clutch between said spool and crank, andmeans, actuated by said device when said brake reaches the limit of itsbraking movement, for releasing said clutch.

17. In a fishing reel including a spool, the combination with a variablebrake, and a thumb operated device for actuating said brake and havingan abutment, of a crank for actuating said spool, a clutch between saidcrank and said spool, a releasable retaining member for said clutch,said member having a portion adapted for engagement by said abutmentwhen said brake reaches the limit of its braking movement, whereby saidclutch is then released.

18. A fishing reel comprising a spool, a crank for actuating said spool,a clutch between said crank and said spool, and a manually operablebrake arranged, when operated, also to cause the operation of saidclutch.

19. A fishing reel comprising a spool a crank for operating said spool,a clutch etween said crank and said spool, and manuually operable meansfor retaining said spool against movement, said retaining means beingarranged, when operated, to release said clutch.

20. A fishing reel comprising two reel heads, a spool between saidheads, a crank carried by one of said heads for actuating said spool, aclutch between said crank and said spool, a spool retaining deviceassociated with the other reel head, and a member mounted between saidreel heads for causing the actuation of said retaining device and saidclutch.

21.11 fishing reel comprising two reel heads, a spool between saidheads, a crank carried by one of said heads for actuating said spool, aclutch between said crank and said spool, a variable brake associatedwith the other reel head, and a manually operable member mounted betweensaid reel heads, and connected with. said brake so as to actuate thesame, and with said clutch so as to release the same when said brakereaches the limit of its braking movement.

22. A fishing reel comprising two reel heads, a spool between saidheads, a crank carried by one of said heads for actuating said spool, aclutch between said crank and said spool, a releasable retaining devicefor said clutch, said device having an abutment, a variable brakeassociated with the other reel head, and a manually operable membermounted between said reel heads for actuating said brake, said brakehaving a portion adapted to engage said abutment when said brake reachesthe limit of its braking movement, whereby said retaining device is thenreleased.

23. A fishing reel comprising a spool, a releasable click deviceassociated with said spool, a crank for actuating said spool, a clutchbetween said crank and said spool, and a manually operable spoolretaining device arranged, when operated, to release said click deviceand said clutch.

24. A fishing reel comprising a spool, a releasable click deviceassociated with said spool, a crank for operating said spool, a clutchbetween said crank and said spool, and a manually operable variablebrake device arranged to release said click device and said clutch whenit reaches the limit of its braking movement.

25. A fishing reel comprising two reel heads, a spool between said reelheads, a releasable click device associated with one of said reel headsand cooperating with said spool, a crank associated with the other reelhead for actuating said spool, a clutch between said crank and saidspool, a spool retaining device, a manually operable member rockablymounted between said heads for operating said retaining device, andmeans, associated with said manually operable member, for releasing saidclick device and said clutch when said retaining device is operated.

26. A fishin reel comprising two reel heads, a spool %etween said heads,a releasable cliek device associated with one of said heads andcoiiperating with said spool, a crank associated with the other head foractuating said spool, a clutch between said crank and said spool, avariable braking device arranged to release said click device when saidbraking device reaches the limit of its brakin movement, and a manuallyoperable memier mounted between said reel heads for actuating saidbraking device and releasing said clutch when said braking devicereaches the limit of its braking movement.

2?. A fishing reel comprising two reel heads, a spool between saidheads, a releasable click device associated with one of said heads andcooperating with said spool, a crank associated with the other head foractuating said spool, a clutch between said crank and said spool, areleasable retaining member for said clutch, said retaining memherhaving an abutment, a variable braking device arranged to release saidclick device when said braking device reaches the limit of its brakingmovement, and a manually operable member mounted between said reel headsfor actuating said braking device, said last named member ranged toengage said abutment when said braking device reaches the limit ofits'braking movement, whereby said retaining member is then released.

28. In a fishing reel, the combination with a spool, of a rotatablefriction brake therefor, thumbing mechanism to apply said brake to thespool, a sprin to return said mechanism to normal position when thepressure of the thumb is removed, said spring when relieved serving tostart the spool rotating through the medium of said brake.

29. A fishing reel comprising a shaft, a spool rotatably mounted on saidshaft and having a clutch portion, a clutch member slidably mounted onsaid shaft to cooperate with said clutch portion, a crank for rotatingsaid clutchmember and including a longitudinally movable stem havingengaging relation with said clutch portion, whereby said clutch portionis thrown into operative osition when said stem is moved longitudinally.

having a portion ar-' 30. A fishing reel comprising a shaft, a spoolrotatably mounted on said shaft, and havin a clutch ortion and clutchmember slidab y mounte on said shaft to coiiperate with said clutchportion, said clutch member having a gear and a shoulder, a crankincluding a longitudinally movable stem and a gear carried by said stemmeshing with said first named gear and engaging said shoulder.

31. A fishing reel comprising a shaft, a spool rotatably mounted in saidshaft and having a clutch portion, a clutch member slidably mounted onsaid shaft and cooperating with said clutch portion, a crank forrotating said clutch member and having a longitudinally movable stem,said stem having engaging relation with said clutch member, whereby saidclutch member is moved into operative position when said stem is movedlongitudinally, and a manually releasable retaining device for saidclutch member.

32. A fishing reel comprising a shaft, a spool rotatably mounted on saidshaft and havin a clutch portion, a clutch member slidab y mounted onsaid shaft and coiiper ating with said clutch portion, said clutchmember having a gear and a shoulder, a crank having a. longitudinallymovable stem, a gear carried by said stem meshing with said first namedgear and engaging said shoulder, and a manually operable retainingdevice for said clutch member.

33. A fishing reel comprising a shaft, a spool rotatably mounted on saidshaft and having a clutch portion, siidably mounted on said shaft andcooperating with said clutch portion, said clutch member having a gearand a shoulder, a crank having a longitudinally movable stem, a gearcarried by said stem meshing with said first named gear and engagingsaid shoulder, a retaining member arranged to engage said clutch memberwhen the latter is moved into operative position, and manually operablemeans for releasing said re.- taining member.

34. In a fishing reel the combination with a rotatable braking deviceadapted, when rotated, to exercise a gradually increasing brakingeffect, said device including a gear and manually operable means forrotating said device, of a removable detent cooperating with said gearfor retaining said braking device in any one of a plurality of brakingpositions.

35. In a fishing reel including a spool, the combination with a manuallyoperable device for exercising a gradually increasing brakin able clickdevice cooperating with said spool and adapted to retain said brakingdevice in any one of a plurality of braking positions.

effect upon said spool, of a releasa clutch member 36. In a fishing reelincluding a spool, the combination with a manually operable device forexercising a gradually increasing braking efl'ect upon said spool, saiddevice including an abutment, of a removable click device cooperatingwith said spool and arranged to retain said braking device in any one ofa plurality of positions, said click device having a portion adapted forengagement by said abutment when said braking device reaches the limitof its braking movement, whereby said click device is then removed.

37. In a fishing reel the combination with a rotatable braking memberadapted, when rotated, to exercise a gradually increasing brakingefl'ect, said member including a gear and manually operable means foractuating said braking member, of a pivoted click plate having a dogcooperating with said gear, thereby to retain said brake member in anyone of a plurality of positions, and said click plate having a portionadapted for engagement by said actuatin means when said brake memberreaches t e limit of its braking movement, whereby said click plate isthen released.

38. In a fishing reel, the combination with a spool, of a longitudinallymoving braking member carried by the frame, said member being adapted tomove longitudinally when rotated, a pinion carried thereby, a segmentalgear engaging said pinion and operated by a thumbing mechanism forcontrolling the application of said brake, a locking pawl carried by theframe and ada in the teeth of said pinion to ock said bra at any desireddegree of application. A

39. In a fishing reel, the combination with a spool, of a friction braketherefor, thumbing mechanism to apply said brake to the spool, a springto return said mechanism to normal position when the pressure of thethumb is removed, said spring when relieved serving to start the spoolrotating through the medium of said brake.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof two witnesses.

E. R. KING, CHARLES G. Corn.

ted to engage braking'movement, whereby said click plate 36. In afishing reel including a spool, the combination with a manually operabledevice for exercising a gradually increasing.

braking effect upon said spool, said device including an abutment, of aremovable click device cooperating with said spool and arranged toretain said braking device in any one of a plurality of positions, saidclick device having a portion adapted for engagement by said abutmentwhen said braking device reaches the limit of its braking movement,whereby said click device is then removed.

37. In a fishing reel the combination with a rotatable braking memberadapted, when rotated, to exercise a gradually increasing brakingeffect, said member including a gear and manually operable means'foractuating said braking member, of a pivoted click plate having a dogcooperating with said gear, thereby to retain said brake member in anyone of a plurality of positions, and said click plate having a portionadapted for engagement by said actuating means when said brake memberreaches the limit of its is then released.

38. In a fishing reel, the combination with a spool, of a longitudinallymoving braking member carried by the frame, said member being adapted tomove longitudinally when rotated, a pinion carried thereby, a segmentalgear engaging said pinion and operated by a thumbing mechanism forcontrolling the application of Said brake, a locking pawl carried by theframe and adapted to engage in the teeth of said pinion to lock saidbrake at any desired degree of application.

39. In a fishing reel, the combination with REUBEN B. BENJAMIN.

Witnesses:

E. R. KING, CHARLES G. Corn.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent N 0. 1,189,232, grantedJuly 4, 1916, upon the applicationof Reuben-B. Benjamin, of Chicago,Illinois, for an improvement in Fishing-Reels, errors appear in theprinted specification requiring v correction as follows: Iage 3, line 73, for the word The read- Two; page 8, line 76, claim 31, for the wordin read on; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with thesecorrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the casein the Patent Ofiice. V L a Signed and sealed this 22d day of August, A.D., '1 916.

sum i i F. w. H. CLAY,

' Acting Commissioner of Patents. 01. 242-4345..

Corrections in LettersPatent No. 1,189,232.

Corrections in Letters Patent No. 1,189,232.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,189,232, grantedJuly 4, 1916,

upon the application of Reuben B. Benjamin, of Chicago, Illinois, for animprovement in FishingReels, errors appear in the printed specificationrequiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 78, for the word The readTwo; page 8,

line 76, claim 31, for the word in read on; and that the said LettersPatent should be read with these corrections therein that the same mayconform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice Signed and sealedthis 22d day of August, A. D., 1916.

[SEAL] F. W. H. CLAY,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. Cl. 24284.5.

